AM General has unveiled a significantly improved version of the Hawkeye 105 mm Mobile Howitzer System (MHS) at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, according to *European Security & Defense* magazine.
The main innovation of the new generation is the introduction of soft-recoil technology, which can reduce recoil by up to **60%**. According to the manufacturer, this technological advancement expands the tactical options of light artillery and mobile tactical vehicles by allowing large-caliber guns to be mounted on lightweight platforms without sacrificing stability or accuracy.
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The system on display is equipped with the well-known M119 105 mm gun, which AM General says can rapidly deploy, fire and move in less than 90 seconds, reducing exposure time to counterfire and improving the battery’s survivability in modern battlefield environments.
History and combat operations
The previous version of Hawkeye has been undergoing testing and evaluation in Ukraine since April 2024 to verify its performance in real combat conditions. The first public news that the systems had been transported to Kiiu came in June 2024, with AM General officials saying the shipment took place in that month. Photos of units operating in the Ukrainian military began to circulate around September 2024.
Design and technical features
The Hawkeye MHS is the result of a collaboration between AM General and Mandus Group, and is essentially the **M105 light self-propelled howitzer** mounted on the **HMMWV M1152** SUV chassis — a solution that combines a highly mobile platform with artillery firepower.
The main technical specifications highlighted by the manufacturer are:
- High mobility and air transport compatibility (including sling transport and parachute descent).
- Four hydraulic stabilizers to ensure platform stability during launch.
- 180° horizontal rotation (360° optional if required) and trajectory angle -5° to +72°.
- Standard crew of 4 people. However, in exceptional circumstances, it can be operated by two people.
AM General will supply two Hawkeye prototypes for performance testing under contract with the U.S. Army in 2021, a step that served to validate the lightweight design and modularity concept.
Sources and images: European Security & Defense | AM General. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
